NHS Band Teacher Appreciation Salad

Janz Salad Basics

• Green Leafy Stuff
• Romaine
• Green Leaf Lettuce
• Cilantro
• Italian Parsley
  
• Bright Stuff
• Red Pepper
• Purple Onion
• Red Cabbage
  
• Strawberries
• Other Stuff
• Mushrooms
• Feta Cheese
• Hard Cheese Mix (Parmesan, Romano, Asiago)
• Garnishes
• Almonds
• Sunflower Seeds
• Homemade Croutons

To Assemble:

1. Tear all green leafy stuff (lettuce, cilantro, parsley) put in a salad bowl.
2. Slice cabbage, dice pepper, slice mushrooms and strawberries and crumbled Feta cheese into the salad.
   
3. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds & slivered almonds.
4. Break thick dry toasted seasoned French bread into bite-size croutons.
5. Drizzle with with vinaigrette and toss.
   

Janz Sweet Balsamic Vinaigrette

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2. Balsamic Vinegar
   
3. Honey Mustard
   
4. Honey
   
5. Janz Seasoning Blend
6. Pepper
   
7. Tabasco
   

This is one variation of Janz Sweet Balsamic Vinaigrette. I use the small jar in the photo to mix my dressings.

• Start with about an inch of extra virgin olive oil
  
• An inch of balsamic vinegar
  
• A generous squeeze of honey mustard. Maybe a couple of teaspoons...
  
• More honey, probably a tablespoon or so.
  
• Add your favorite herbs, basil, oregano, garlic... ground herbs mix best
• A splash of Tabasco

Put the lid on tight and shake well. I always hold it inside the sink just in case I have a mismatched lid and it leaks. I'd rather not sling oil all over my clothes, it never happens, unless I'm dressed for work and don't have time to change!

As to "your favorite herbs..." I've come up with my own blend of favorites that I call Janz Seasoning Blend. This is something I mix up every few months and use it in almost everything. It started out as equal parts of ground basil, oregano and garlic powder and now the ingredient list is as more or less follows: basil oregano, thyme, rosemary, savory, sage, onion powder, garlic powder, and marjoram. I usually use dried herbs and when I get it mixed and it smells right, I grind it into a very fine powder. I have a clean coffee grinder I use just for grinding herbs.

The fine powder seems to readily dissolve into a salad dressing. I also use it as seasoning for croutons. Before I came up with this seasoning concoction, I flavored homemade vinaigrette with basil, oregano, thyme... whatever herbs seemed to be right at the time. Let your taste buds be your guide if you don't have a favorite herb blend. Any leftover dressing can be refrigerated for your next salad.